May 2012 ERA Bulletin.Pub
The ERA BULLETIN - MAY, 2012 Bulletin Electric Railroaders’ Association, Incorporated Vol. 55, No. 5 May, 2012 The Bulletin THIRD AVENUE’S POOR FINANCIAL CONDITION LED Published by the Electric TO ITS CAR BUILDING PROGRAM 75 YEARS AGO Railroaders’ Association, Incorporated, PO Box (Continued from April, 2012 issue) 3323, New York, New York 10163-3323. Cars 626-685, an improved version of the Brakes were kept applied when the treadle 100s and 300s, were the best cars that Third door was open, and could not be released For general inquiries, Avenue built. These cars weighed 37,450 until it was closed. contact us at bulletin@ pounds, slightly less than the 38,190-pound The Huffliners and the 626-685 cars were erausa.org or by phone at (212) 986-4482 (voice 300s. Operation was smooth and quiet. With equipped with a 12-volt system, which con- mail available). ERA’s four 35 horsepower 600 volt motors, their trolled the entrance and exit doors, heater website is estimated speed was more than 35 miles per contactor, passenger signal, and defroster www.erausa.org. hour. Cars were equipped with dynamic motor. A 12-volt generator under the car, belt brakes, which could retard the speed of the driven by the air compressor motor, charged Editorial Staff: Editor-in-Chief: car if the air brakes failed. the battery, which supplied the 12-volt power. Bernard Linder Third Avenue selected Brill’s 77E truck with This system was interlocked with the revers- News Editor: 27-inch wheels. This well-designed truck was er drum on the controller and operated only Randy Glucksman lightweight and simple in construction, requir- when the reverser drum was in the forward or Contributing Editor: Jeffrey Erlitz ing low maintenance and possessing good reverse position.
[Show full text]